Passenger Dies after Pevensey Crash

An 81-year-old man died following a car crash.

Frederick Oakham, of Timberlaine Road, Pevensey Bay, was in the passenger seat of a Vauxhall Xafira that crashed with a Vauxhall van in Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay, just after 11am on Friday.

He died in hospital on Saturday.

The driver of the car, a 76-year old woman, also from Pevensey Bay, is still being treated at Eastbourne District General Hospital for serious injuries.

The driver of the van, a 23-year old Eastbourne man, was treated at the scene.

Anyone who saw the collision or saw either vehicle immediately beforehand is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.

^{Story source : Argus 7/06/10}

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Off-duty Pevensey firefighter helps crash couple

An off-duty firefighter has insisted he is not a hero despite jumping into action to help an elderly couple who were trapped after a car crash.

Daniel Towle gave emergency first aid to the couple after their car collided with a van.

Mr Towle had been driving with his partner Emma Marsh and their six-month old baby Harrison on Friday when he came across the smashed car just seconds after the crash.

The two vehicles collided in the middle of the A259 at Pevensey Bay at about 11am, stopping traffic both ways for several hours.

The pair had to eventually be cut out of the wreckage and Mr Towle kept them and the van driver calm and called the emergency services.

The 25-year-old, who works at Pevensey Community Fire Station, said: “I am not a hero. I was just doing what anybody would do. I don’t like to see people suffering and if I can help then I will.”

Mr Towle, of Church Lane, Pevensey, said his experience as a retained firefighter helped him to know what to do.

Group Commander Nigel Cusack praised Mr Towle for his quick thinking and the Eastbourne firefighters who attended the scene.

^{Story source : Argus 7/06/10}